Key Research Programs

The goal of AARC researchers is to achieve significant advances in the understanding and treatment of arthritis and related disorders. Their ultimate goal, of course, is to find a means of prevention, and a cure. In the meantime, restoring a good quality of life for our patients is a major concern.

Achieving these goals requires a co-ordinated research program that encompasses studies of these diseases from the genetic level, through to clinical studies of patient groups and to the population at large. Our investigators bring together fundamental discovery research, applied and clinical studies, and prevention and community-based research - all focused on eradicating arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

The Centre has a critical mass of 30 principal investigators - clinician scientists (MDs), as well as basic and clinical scientists (PhDs). All have University of Toronto appointments and represent a broad range of academic departments, including Medicine, Surgery, Immunology, Epidemiology, Health Administration and Medical Imaging. The program integrates established senior investigators with junior faculty who are early in their research careers, producing an exciting and productive mix of experience and expertise.

Recognized at both the national and international levels for their research excellence, during the past year (2000-01) our researchers were awarded more than $10 million in peer-reviewed research funding, and published well over 150 research papers.

Research Groups and Centres

The Wellesley-Toronto Arthritis & Immune Disorder Research Centre (AIDRC):
The AIDRC was formed when scientists involved in arthritis and immune disease research at the former Wellesley Hospital joined with their peers at University Health Network.

The group, housed at several sites within UHN, now comprises one of the largest and best-respected concentrations of immunology expertise in the world. Their research projects address questions about a wide range of immune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis and many others. The AIDRC is integrated with ACE and also with the Canadian Arthritis Network.

The Arthritis Centre of Excellence (ACE):
In 1998, the AARC was chosen by the Arthritis Society of Canada (Ontario Div.) as the site of the Arthritis Centre of Excellence. This $5 million centre is a cutting-edge facility that brings together experts from the fields of rheumatology, orthopaedic surgery and immunology. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Inman, ACE performs multi-disciplinary research into rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Centre for Prognosis Studies in Rheumatic Diseases:
This Centre, established in 1996, is a unique resource for clinical research in rheumatic disease. It follows large patient bases with defined rheumatic disease - including lupus and psoriatic arthritis - in prospective studies. The Lupus Clinic has been following a patient group according to standard protocol since 1970. Currently there are over 1,000 patients enrolled. The Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic, the largest of its kind in the world, is currently tracking close to 700 patients prospectively.

Clinical directors of the Centre are Drs. Murray Urowitz, Dafna Gladman and Paul Fortin.

Centre for Advanced Therapeutics in Arthritis:
The largest clinical trial unit in Canada is found in the UHN Centre for Advanced Therapeutics in Arthritis.

The mission of this Centre is to bring new and innovative therapies into Canada for evaluation. Director Dr. Edward Keystone is a noted clinician-scientists who combines an interest in the fundamental cell biology underlying rheumatoid arthritis with his clinical studies. The Centre attracts studies from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies around the world. It is also the sole Canadian site in a number of international multi-centre trials. In 1999, more than 30 clinical trials involving approximately 3000 patients were performed at the Centre.

Arthritis Community Research & Evaluation Unit (ACREU):
Established in 1992, researchers in ACREU study the impact of arthritis and how it is managed. They seek to identify needs and gaps in existing treatment and support services, and to assist in the development of community health policies, programs and educational initiatives. Under the direction of Dr. Elizabeth Badley, ACREU is playing an important role in providing critical information to both the provincial and federal governments, which will enhance the care offered to people with arthritis through our health care system.